Childhood Apraxia of Speech, also known as CAS, is a motor speech disorder that makes it challenging for a child to communicate. There are messages that go from the brain to the mouth, these messages then tell the muscles how and when to make the sounds. A child with a CAS diagnosis might have challenges to get that message from the brain to their mouth. Many children with this diagnosis generally have a good understanding of language and know what to say. However, they have difficulty learning and/or carrying out the complex sequenced movements which are necessary when it comes to communication and the overall intelligibility of speech. It is essential to keep in mind that CAS is not a problem that children outgrow, but their speech can improve.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Does not always say words the same way every time
- The gliding of the jaw when trying to produce sounds
- Unable to execute oral-motor movements and/or patterns
- Common to put the stress on the wrong syllable and/or word
- Distorts or changes sounds
- Say shorter words more clearly than longer words
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Challenges crossing midline
- Delayed language
- Difficulty with reading, spelling, writing
If you believe your child may have Childhood Apraxia Speech or exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, come into the clinic to be evaluated by a Speech-Language Pathologist and to address all your concerns. For more resources, you can access the provided links.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/
New to Apraxia. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.apraxia-kids.org/new-to-apraxia/
Blog by:
Isabel R. – MS, CCC-SLP
(Speech-Language Pathologist)
